National Magazine Awards Foundation Interviews Illustration Alumnus

Monday, November 23, 2015 - 5:00am

The National Magazine Awards Foundation has just published an interview with Hudson Christie, 2015’s Best New Illustrator or Photographer winner. Hudson graduated OCADU’s Illustration program in 2014.

http://www.magazine-awards.com/

http://blog.magazine-awards.com/2015/11/20/off-the-page-with-hudson-chri...

Be sure to follow the related links to two other OCADU grads (2009): Selena Wong (two-time NMA-winning illustrator) and Gracia Lam (two time NMA winner for Spot Illustration).

Photographer Tom Szczerbowski talks about his famous Jose Bautista bat flip photo from game 5 of the ALDS

Bautista flips his bat.
Monday, October 19, 2015 - 4:00pm

Photographer Tom Szczerbowski talks about his famous Jose Bautista bat flip photo from game 5 of the ALDS

We caught up with photographer Tom Szczerbowski to talk about the biggest photo in sports and his tips for young photographers.

How did you feel when you got the shot?

The home run was obviously a big moment, but nobody could know that it would be the turning point of the game. In big games and key situations, reaction photos can be far bigger than photos of the swing itself and, in this case, Bautista made the moment more memorable by his cathartic reaction.

He is a very emotional player and I’ve seen enough of his home runs over the years to know that I better be prepared for anything in terms of how he reacts in the immediate wake of hitting the ball.

How do you stay focused when the stadium is rocking?

That’s not so hard to do because a deciding, do-or-die game demands your full, undivided attention. You have to be plugged into what’s going on or and not be distracted.

You have taken some amazing photographs - what makes a good sports photo? How does this one stack up for you?

Thanks!  I’ve also missed my share. That said, try to always anticipate a play, how it’s likely to unfold and always know if there’s a potential for your view being blocked.

A clean background or the right expression on a player can make for superb images. There is no secret sauce, but always be prepared and try to be in the right position when the play happens.  

Test your exposure, make sure your focus point is responsive, keep your composition straight, shoot tight, shoot through the play, etc. It also helps to draw on past experiences, especially when you might have shot a similar play before.

I wrote about this once on my blog.  

The Bautista photo tells a nice story all right, and there is no doubt some sentimental value is attached to it given the magnitude of the occasion, but I have to say that one of my all-time favs is a recent football photo

What's the key to your success? How would a young photographer get good at what you do?

Commit yourself fully to something because half-measures will not get you there. Be relentless. Be tenacious. Hustle. When you’re starting, don’t take 'no' for an answer from some of the entrenched interests, some of whom aren’t necessarily happy to see you competing with them. Go at it whole hog.

Invest in quality gear from the start. Buying top-tier gear can pose budgetary challenges but the last thing you want is to miss the big moment because the camera let you down. Human error can and will happen periodically.

The biggest thing is getting out there and shooting. In other words, I place a higher value on honing my craft than reading about esoteric theory or concepts of photography. The bottom line is you can’t be a good photographer if you don’t shoot a lot. At first, you should find any games or events — no matter how remote or meaningless — to cover for someone with the goal of putting together a quality portfolio. From kids’ hockey leagues to weddings or local awards shows, find something that a prospective client will want covered and pay you to cover.

 

 

Interview Skills Drop-In Clinic

Event Poster
Wednesday, March 19, 2014 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Analyze and improve your interview-readiness!

Students are invited to drop in and meet one-on-one with representatives from Career Development and Experiential Learning, who will practice interview techniques with you and walk you through a reflection on the results.

Get the immediate help you're seeking, whether you're considering employment this summer or opportunities after graduation! Every student will be provided with additional take-away resources for later use.

Venue & Address: 
Room 1516, Level 5 113 McCaul St. Toronto, Ontario
Website: 
http://www.ocadu.ca/careerdevelopment
Email: 
zfarber@ocadu.ca
Phone: 
<p>416-977-6000 x3843</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
Cost: 
Free

Résumé/CV Drop-In Clinic

Event Poster
Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Immediate, applicable feedback on key documents...

Students are invited to drop in to meet one-on-one with representatives from Career Development and Experiential Learning, who can help direct the development of your résumé, CV, cover letters and other professional documents.

Get the immediate help you're seeking, whether you're considering employment this summer or opportunities after graduation! Every student will be provided with additional take-away resources for later use.

Venue & Address: 
Room 1516, Level 5 113 McCaul St. Toronto, Ontario
Website: 
http://www.ocadu.ca/careerdevelopment
Email: 
zfarber@ocadu.ca
Phone: 
<p>416-977-6000 x3843</p>
Cost: 
Free

Interview Skills Drop-In Clinic

Event Poster
Monday, March 10, 2014 - 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Analyze and improve your interview-readiness!

Students are invited to drop in and meet one-on-one with representatives from Career Development and Experiential Learning, who will practice interview techniques with you and walk you through a reflection on the results.

Get the immediate help you're seeking, whether you're considering employment this summer or opportunities after graduation! Every student will be provided with additional take-away resources for later use.

Venue & Address: 
Room 240 100 McCaul St. Toronto, Ontario
Website: 
http://www.ocadu.ca/careerdevelopment
Email: 
zfarber@ocadu.ca
Phone: 
<p>416-977-6000 x3843</p>
Cost: 
Free

Supporting Documents: Résumé/CV, Cover Letter & Statements

Event Poster
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 - 8:00pm to 9:30pm

Hands-on workshop to build your professional documents!

Students are invited to attend this session where we will outline best practices and explore current trends related to résumés, CVs, cover letters and artist/design statements. A significant portion of this session will be dedicated to a guided workshop which will help you build or refine your documents.

Delivered by the Career Development office, this is part of a comprehensive series of FREE workshops intended to support student success.

Venue & Address: 
Room 1516 113 McCaul St. Toronto, Ontario
Website: 
http://www.ocadu.ca/careerdevelopment
Email: 
zfarber@ocadu.ca
Phone: 
<p>416-977-6000 x3843</p>
Cost: 
Free

GLENFIDDICH PRIZE WINNER DANIEL BARROW’S CAREER ADVICE FOR STUDENTS

Daniel Barrow's Kiss Me Before I Die. Image courtesy Glenfiddich.
Daniel Barrow in performance. Image courtesy Glenfiddich.

Daniel Barrow, a Montreal-based artist working in video, film, print-making, drawing and known for his projection installations and performances, is on his way to work in Dufftown Scotland after winning this year’s Glenfiddich Artist-in-Residence Prize. 

Barrow is one of eight artists chosen from around the world for the three-month residency. Valued at $20,000 per artist, the residency covers travel, living expenses and materials. The artists live in crofts (traditional small Scottish farm houses) and work closely together, making it an inspiring opportunity for cross-disciplinary ideas. 

OCAD University’s Vladimir Spicanovic, Dean, Faculty of Art, and Lisa Deanne Smith, Acting Curator of Onsite [at] OCAD U, were involved in the highly competitive jury process for this year’s award. The jury selected Barrow for the depth of his imagination and innovative practice. Barrow was also the winner of the 2010 Sobey Art Award and is represented by Jessica Bradley in Toronto.

While preparing to leave for his residency, Barrow shared his thoughts about what winning the prize means, along with some advice for students:

OCAD U: Congratulations on the prize win! When are you going?

I’m leaving early, in mid-May because I have shows booked in Europe before it starts. I’ll be doing performances in Oslo, Brussels, Venice and Croatia. The residency itself will be from June through August.

OCAD U: What kind of impact do you think it will have on your work?

DB: I’m not sure what to expect. I’m looking forward to a certain degree of isolation and getting work done in the Highland Mountains, and I really like the works coming out of the residency. I’m hoping it will inspire me. I’d like the work to unfold organically within the context, however, I do have to ship all my art supplies. I anticipate I’ll be working on a narrative performance project while I’m there.

OCAD U: How do you keep learning and challenging yourself as an artist?

DB: I went to art school at the University of Manitoba. It was a very exciting time in the early to mid-90s, and I went to school with a lot of artists who went on to establish themselves in the art world. So my peers and professors were a source of inspiration, and it was because I went to school with so many dedicated and inspired artists that I felt emboldened to quit my day job and work as a full-time artist. The thing that people need to know about being a full time artist is that it’s a lot of work. It requires a certain degree of sacrifice and dedication. I saw that in art school and the other students offered me a path. I still keep in close touch with my peers.

OCAD U: What advice would you give to the OCAD U community?

DB: I taught at Concordia for two years and what I told my students is that those who go on to succeed in the art world are not necessarily the best, but those who establish themselves in the community. That’s so important — establishing a peer group and creating relationships with other artists.

 

DAVID CRONENBERG IN CONVERSATION WITH PIERS HANDLING

David Cronenberg and Piers Handling. Photos courtesy TIFF.

“Everybody’s a mad scientist, and life is their lab. We’re all trying to experiment to find a way to live, to solve problems, to fend off madness and chaos.” David Cronenberg

David Cronenberg, the master of the macabre, creepy obsessions and weird fantasies is coming to OCAD University to talk about the relationship between technology, art, cinema, architecture, design and city landscapes. The iconic Toronto-based Canadian filmmaker will be interviewed by Piers Handling, Director and Chief Executive Officer of TIFF at OCAD U on Tuesday, January 21, as part of the President’s Speaker Series

"OCAD U is honoured to host one of the world’s most imaginative filmmakers in conversation with a one of the world’s best known curatorial and administrative leaders in film," said Dr. Sara Diamond, OCAD U's President. "This is a wonderful opportunity for the OCAD U community to learn about cinema, technology, design and the creative process from two film masters and we look forward to their unique industry perspectives, artistic ideologies and visions for the future."

During Cronenberg’s 40-year career as a filmmaker, his works have included independent, experimental, science fiction, horror, thriller and studio productions including Videodrome, The Fly, Dead Ringers, Naked Lunch, Crash, A History of Violence, Eastern Promises, A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis. Thought-provoking and transgressive to the point of being controversial, Cronenberg is also celebrated with significant international awards, including France’s prestigious Chevalier de l’ordre des arts et des lettres, a Special Jury Prize at Cannes, a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Cronenberg was the subject of an ambitious, international touring exhibition curated and launched by TIFF in the fall, and as part of that initiative OCAD U partnered with TIFF’s Higher Learning Digital Resource Hub, York University and Sheridan College to create David Cronenberg: Virtual Exhibition. The Virtual Exhibition will make a vast collection of scholarly essays, footage and research materials available to an online international artist. Caroline Langill, Interim Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences and School of Interdisciplinary Studies at OCAD U, Natalie Waldburger, Assistant Professor, Drawing and Painting and a team of OCAD U students contributed essays, interactive maps, lesson plans and 3D images to the Virtual Exhibition. 

Piers Handling, who will join Cronenberg at the January 21 event, is responsible for leading both the operational and artistic growth of TIFF. Since 1994, under his direction, TIFF became an internationally renowned cultural institution and opened TIFF Bell Lightbox, a permanent home for all of TIFF’s year-round film, educational and exhibition programming. Handling is the former Deputy Director of the Canadian Film Institute (CFI), taught at Carleton and Queens universities and has published extensively on Canadian cinema. He holds an Honourary Doctorate of Fine Arts from OCAD U.

Famous Cronenberg quotes

“I think of horror films as art, as films of confrontations. Films that make you confront aspects of your own life that are difficult to face. Just because you’re making a horror film doesn’t mean you can’t make an artful film.”

“Since I see technology as being an extension of the human body, it’s inevitable that it should come home to roost.”

“As filmmaker, I ask questions but don’t have answers. Moviemaking is a philosophical exploration. I invite the audience to come on the journey and discover what they think and feel.”

Learn more:

Attend the talk

David Cronenberg exhibition at TIFF 

Toronto Life profile of David Cronenberg 

Piers Handling at TIFF

Interview Skills Drop-In Clinic

Interview Skills Drop-In Clinic
Wednesday, November 20, 2013 - 8:00pm

Analyze and improve your interview-readiness!

Students are invited to drop in to the Learning Zone and meet one-on-one with representatives from Career Development and Experiential Learning, who will practice interview techniques with you and walk you through a reflection on the results.

Get the immediate help you're seeking, whether you're considering employment next semester, this summer or opportunities after graduation! Every student will be provided with additional take-away resources for later use.

 

416-977-6000 x3843

 

www.ocadu.ca/careerdevelopment

zfarber@ocadu.ca

 

Free

Venue & Address: 
The Learning Zone 113 McCaul St., Level 1 Toronto, Ontario

Interview Skills Drop-In Clinic

Interview Skills Drop-In Clinic
Friday, November 22, 2013 - 8:00pm

Analyze and improve your interview-readiness!

The second of two sessions, students are invited to drop in to the Learning Zone and meet one-on-one with representatives from Career Development and Experiential Learning, who will practice interview techniques with you and walk you through a reflection on the results.

Get the immediate help you're seeking, whether you're considering employment next semester, this summer or opportunities after graduation! Every student will be provided with additional take-away resources for later use.

 

416-977-6000 x3843

 

www.ocadu.ca/careerdevelopment

zfarber@ocadu.ca

 

Free

Venue & Address: 
The Learning Zone 113 McCaul St., Level 1 Toronto, Ontario

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